Lowry annoyed with USGA over heavyweight pairing: "What they did is making a mockery of the three of us"

Shane Lowry is about to go out with Kevin Stadler and Brendon de Jonge in the US Open at Pinehurst No 2. But it will come as a surprise to no-one who saw what Lowry described as a "cheeky" USGA 'heavyweight' pairing that he's more than a little peeved.

Writing in his weekly column in The Irish Times, Lowry accused the USGA of "making a mockery of the three of us" and just hopes they don't get abuse from the galleries.

"To be honest, I am also annoyed about something. I don’t mind saying it, but I think it is a bit cheeky of the USGA in making the draw the way they did. I’m with Brendon de Jonge and Kevin Stadler for the first two rounds. Someone’s bright idea!! Put the three big guys together!! I think it is unfair on the three of us. It is definitely not drawn out of the hat, that’s for sure. And I just hope we don’t get stick from the galleries. What they did is making a mockery of the three of us. I spoke to Graeme McDowell, and he thinks I should say something to the USGA about it."

Graeme McDowell shares the early lead with Kevin Na on two under after a 68 with Rory McIlroy tied 25th after a 71.

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Lowry and Harrington pleased with starts

Shane Lowry didn’t feel well but said he was happy to shoot a one over 72 on his US Open debut. Credt: golffile.iePadraig Harrington avoided some capital punishment in Washington DC to get his US Open challenge off and running.

As debutant Shane Lowry staved off tummy trouble to open with a one over 72, the triple major winner made a bogey six at his final hole for a level par 71 that could have been three shots lower - or higher.

The Dubliner avoided total disaster when he tangled with the woods after a pull-hook ricocheted into the trees Rory McIroy Augusta style at the 11th, fell foul of a fidgety marshal at the 15th and crashed his tee shot into a towering crane at the 18th.

But while he limited some of his wild tee shots to three bogeys, he also had four great birdies and could easily have had four more with better luck on the greens.